Hydrogen producing fuel cartridge

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a method of producing hydrogen, including selectively applying heat to a fuel within a canister thermally insulated and inside a cartridge, firing fuel to facilitate decomposition and release hydrogen, and, removing said hydrogen from said cartridge via a fluid communication means.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of International Patent ApplicationPCT/US2013/040974 filed May 15, 2013, which claims priority to, andbenefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/647,411, filed onMay 15, 2012, the contents of which are incorporated by this referenceas if fully set forth herein, in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

This disclosure relates to hydrogen producing fuel cartridges, andmethods for producing hydrogen from these cartridges.

2. General Background

World-wide commercial use of fuel cell powered host devices,particularly portable devices. A non-exclusive list of potential hostdevices include, but are not limited to, computer peripherals, mobilephone peripherals, mobile phones, personal music players, laptops,notebooks, tablet, gaming devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs),and battery chargers. A fuel cell power system can either be locatedinside the host device or can be connected to the host device usingsuitable means. In either case, a means to provide fuel to the powersystem is required. An example of one such means is the use of fuelspackaged in cartridges (packaged fuel) in predetermined amounts tosatisfy the volume, weight and run time requirements of the host device,use profile of the host device, and regulatory requirements associatedwith the host device. For the sake of simplicity, a fuel cell powersystem is considered to comprise of a fuel cell subsystem that includesthe fuel cell or a multiplicity of fuel cells in the form of a fuel cellstack, fluid, and power management means, a process controller, and thefuel cartridge. The fuel cartridge is connected to the fuel cellsubsystem system using a connector or coupling.

To support commercialization, low-cost, user-friendly, methods forproducing hydrogen on demand in a safe manner is needed. Hydrogen can beproduced by hydrolysis of chemicals such as sodium borohydride. Fuelcartridges for producing hydrogen from sodium borohydride are disclosedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,794,886, 7,832,433, 7,896,934 and 8,002,853.Hydrogen production from hydrolysis is characterized by short start-uptimes and good control of hydrogen production rates. However, the needto use water or other aqueous solutions decreases the hydrogen storagecapacity of these fuel cartridges. In addition, once activated tosupport a fuel cell system, hydrogen continues to evolve from thesecartridges, requiring a buffer to store this hydrogen in the event thefuel cell system is shut-off.

Hydrogen may be produced via thermolysis of chemicals such as ammoniaborane and alane (aluminum hydride). For example, US2010/0226829A1describes a hydrogen generator that produces hydrogen by thedecomposition of ammonia borane. In a thermolysis fuel cartridge,hydrogen is produced by supplying heat to the chemicals contained in thefuel cartridge.

Accordingly, it is a desideratum to develop designs, components andmethods to improve thermal management and hydrogen productionefficiencies in thermolysis fuel cartridges.

DESCRIPTION

According to an exemplary implementation of the disclosure, athermolysis cartridge comprised of an electrical heating element inthermal contact with (which may include being embedded therein) the fuelcontained inside a canister. In some instances a space between an outersurface of the canister and the gas-tight shell of the cartridgecontains an insulation panel.

According to an exemplary implementation of the disclosure, athermolysis cartridge having a gas-tight enclosure with an externalsurface and an internal surface; a canister characterized by a wall thathas an external surface, an internal surface, and a cavity; a fuel thatis contained in the cavity of the canister; a flexible heating elementwith an electrical input connection that extends from the externalsurface of said cartridge into the cavity of the canister and is incontact with said fuel; a vacuum insulation panel in contact with theexternal surface of said canister and the internal surface of saidgas-tight enclosure; and, wherein hydrogen gas is produced bydecomposition of said fuel.

According to an exemplary implementation of the disclosure, athermolysis cartridge having a gas-tight enclosure with an externalsurface and an internal surface; a canister characterized by a wall thathas an external surface, an internal surface, and a cavity; a alane orammonia borane fuel that is contained in the cavity of the canister; aflexible heating element with an electrical input connection thatextends from the external surface of said cartridge into the cavity ofthe canister and is in contact with said fuel; a vacuum insulation panelin contact with the external surface of said canister and the internalsurface of said gas-tight enclosure; and, wherein hydrogen gas isproduced by decomposition of said fuel.

According to an exemplary implementation of the disclosure, athermolysis method to provide hydrogen wherein a heat is selectivelyapplied to a fuel within a canister thermally insulated and inside acartridge; firing the fuel facilitates decomposition and releasehydrogen; said hydrogen being removed from said cartridge via a fluidcommunication means.

According to an exemplary implementation of the disclosure, athermolysis method to provide hydrogen wherein heat is selectivelyapplied by a plurality of separately controllable heating elements,which may be selectively turned on/off independent of one another, to afuel within a canister thermally insulated and inside a cartridge;firing the fuel facilitates decomposition and release hydrogen; saidhydrogen being removed from said cartridge via a fluid communicationmeans.

According to an exemplary implementation of the disclosure, athermolysis method to provide hydrogen wherein heat is selectivelyapplied by a plurality of separately controllable heating elements,which may be selectively turned on/off independent of one another, to afuel the fuel is in at least defined areas each with its own heatingelement within a canister thermally insulated and inside a cartridge;firing the fuel facilitates decomposition and release hydrogen; saidhydrogen being removed from said cartridge via a fluid communicationmeans.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary thermolysis fuel cartridge.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of an exemplary thermolysis fuelcartridge.

FIG. 3 is a view of a flexible heating element for use in a thermolysisfuel cartridge.

FIG. 4 is a cut-out view of a cylindrical thermolysis fuel cartridge.

FIG. 5 is a cut-out view of a thermolysis fuel cartridge that does notcontain an internal canister.

FIG. 6 is a detail of a communications member extending through anaperture.

All callouts in the attached figures are hereby incorporated by thisreference as if fully set forth herein.

It should be appreciated that, for simplicity and clarity ofillustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily beendrawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements areexaggerated, relative to each other, for clarity. Further, whereconsidered appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among theFigures to indicate corresponding elements. While the specificationconcludes with claims defining the features of the present disclosurethat are regarded as novel, it is believed that the present disclosure'steachings will be better understood from a consideration of thefollowing description in conjunction with the figures, in which likereference numerals are carried forward. All descriptions and callouts inthe figures are hereby incorporated by this reference as if fully setforth herein.

FURTHER DESCRIPTION

Devices, including but not limited to PEM fuel cells require hydrogenfuel to generate electricity. Hydrogen can be stored as-is or can beproduced on demand. In certain applications, it is useful to havereplaceable hydrogen supplies which may be supplied as pressurized gasin tanks (also known as a container, tank, canister or cartridge) orhydrogen stored in metal hydrides, in slurries or in other substrates.Hydrogen may also be supplied in the form of a precursor chemical in theform of a chemical hydride. The latter is particularly suited forportable power system whereby the chemical stored in the tank is reactedusing suitable methods, as needed, to produce hydrogen on-demand.

High purity hydrogen is preferred when used in a PEM fuel cell. Purityabove 99% is preferred. Hydrogen above about 99.9% purity is morepreferred and hydrogen above about 99.99% purity is most preferred.Assuring proper purity of hydrogen is important as impurities in ahydrogen fuel supply may damage or degrade the performance of the PEMfuel cell. Deterring the use of an unauthorized or unauthenticatedhydrogen fuel source is one means of insuring that the end user can relyon the stable and production of power from a PEM fuel cell system. Thisalso enables monitoring and disposal of counterfeit hydrogen supplies.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate aspects of a hydrogen fuel cartridge 10 havinga substantially hollow body 20 (also referred to as a container), aclosed back end 21 and a partially closed front end 22. Said cartridgecontains fuel. The face 24 of the front end has an aperture 25 whereincommunication with the interior of the cartridge takes place. Thecartridge is substantially impermeable to hydrogen leakage at apreselected pressure. Said cartridge may be lined or unlined. Saidcartridge has at least one dispensing end 30 which is fitted with afluid communication means 35 such as a valve, membrane, frangiblebarrier valve and the like and an electrical input means 37 such as aresistive element via an aperture 25. The electrical means provide powerto heating elements and thermoregulation elements. The fluidcommunication means provides a pathway to obtain hydrogen produced viadecomposition of said fuel.

In some exemplary implementations, inside the hollow body 20 is athermolysis fuel containing canister. The canister may be made of moldedplastic or aluminum or any other light weight material that is notreactive with the fuel. The dispensing end 30 provides fluidcommunication 35 means and an electrical input means 37 (see FIG. 6 forgreater detail on such fluid communication means). In some instance atleast some of the space between the body 20 and the canister may befilled insulation 101 such as form-fit vacuum insulation. The canister102 contains the thermolysis fuel 104 and resistive heating elements103. The fuel 104 is in powdered form and is packed into the canister102. Alternately, the fuel can be in pre-fabricated form to fit thedimensions of canister 102, or could be in the form of particles orpellets.

Exemplary thermolysis fuels are ammonia borane and alane. AlH₃ or alanethermally decomposes at 110° C. to 160° C. to yield hydrogen andaluminum. The material based hydrogen capacity 10 wt. %. Alane is stableat room temperature. The decomposition of alane to hydrogen isendothermic, which simplifies control and safety. A thermolysiscartridge 10 containing alane may be characterized by hydrogen storagecapacities of 5-6 wt.-%. The volumetric density could approach 1050W-hr/l. A fuel cell system that uses these cartridges to supply hydrogenis therefore characterized by specific energy and energy density that is2-3× better than primary batteries.

The insulation 101 between can be a fit-to-form pre-fabricated vacuuminsulation panel. Exemplary insulation panels include those supplied byNanopore, Inc. (Albuquerque, N.M.). Vacuum insulation panels are made bysealing insulating materials generally consisting of silica and carbonin a suitable barrier under vacuum. At <10 mbar vacuum, these vacuuminsulation panels offer an R value/inch of >30 allowing for compact andlightweight thermolysis fuel cartridges. The use of these panelseliminates the need for enclosing the heating element 103 and fuel 104in a thin walled vacuum flask or dewar or vessel. Instead, canister 102is made of simple molded plastic or aluminum or a light weight material.In some instances, depending on the intended use and performancevariables or as a matter of design choice, the insulation may be addedas a particulate into the interior space of the cartridge. Thisincludes, but is not limited to areas surrounding the heating elements103 and at least a portion of the region 109 between the outer wall ofthe interior canister or vessel and the inner wall of the cartridge.

Sealing the face 24 to the canister 102 may include crimping the edges105 of the front cover 106 onto the canister with the fuel and heatingelement(s) in place, and secured communication with the interior of thecartridge takes place. The dispensing end 30 provides fluidcommunication means and an electrical input means (see FIG. 2 forgreater detail on such fluid communication means and electrical inputmeans) which passes into the canister 102 via an aperture 108 formedtherein. Within the crimp an adhesive or boundary such as a siliconsealant may be added. The same approach may be employed for sealing theface 24 to the hollow body 20 when the canister and insulation are inplace. Vacuum insulation should be evacuated before, during or after theface 24 is crimped in place.

FIG. 3 illustrates one exemplary implementation of a heating element 103and an associated an electrical input means 37. Heating elements (whichmay also be referred to as heaters) such as the exemplar shown in FIG. 3and others described below in this disclosure, for simplicity, are shownas a single resistive element. However, that simplification is not alimitation. Heaters may have multiple discrete elements which can beused to permit the control of heat output from different areas of theheater. The heaters could be banked and switched on/off for proportionalcontrol.

Heat needs to be supplied to a thermolysis cartridge to produce hydrogenvia decomposition of the fuel, and methods to reduce start-up time arerequired to enable commercialization. Heat required for start-up (toheat-up the fuel from ambient temperature to 100-170° C.) can beproduced by supplying power to a resistive heating element. In someinstances a battery may be used to supply this power. This howeverimpacts the number of start-ups that can be accomplished using the fuelcell system hybridized with a battery, and adds to the cost of thesystem. In addition, the thermolysis fuels are characterized by poorthermal conductivity, and packing the fuels in powdered form into acanister containing a heating element outside is likely to becharacterized by poor thermal efficiencies and subsequently poorhydrogen production efficiencies.

In some exemplary implementations, the fuel in powdered form is admixedwith inert materials such as alumina or other ceramics to improvethermal conductivity. As an alternative, the fuel is admixed with metalpowders such as aluminum to improve thermal conductivity. This allowsmore uniform heat distribution and maximizes conversion of the fuel tohydrogen.

In some exemplary implementations, the fuel powders either in nativeform or in admixed form is compacted into tablet or pellet form. Thesetablets or pellets can be fired using dedicated heating elements asneeded to produce hydrogen.

In some exemplary implementation of a thermolysis cartridge 300 (FIG.4), the heating element 303 contacts the external wall of the canister302 containing the thermolysis fuel on one side, and is enclosed by thevacuum insulated panel 301 on the other side. Hydrogen is removed viaport 306. The location of this port is shown as an example only. Theport can be suitably combined with the electrical input connection, andor I/O functions and a fluid communications means (i.e. a pathway ormanifold) to provide a single fluidic and electrical connection betweenthe cartridge and the exterior. In some instances that exterior is aconnection to a hydrogen utilizing system such as a fuel cell powersystem.

In cartridge 300, the canister 302 is preferably made of a materialwhich is lightweight and substantially impermeable to hydrogen leakagewith appropriate thermal properties which may include ceramics,plastics, laminates, foils, and metals such as aluminum that have highthermal conductivity to facilitate high heat transfer rates from theouter canister wall to the fuel inside the canister. The inside of thecanister may be referred to as a cavity, volumetric space or container.

In some instances, if the fuel is in powdered or particle form, heattransfer rates are enhanced by packing the fuel in porous metal orceramic substrates such as foams or felts that are fit into the canister302. Although not shown, those of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that heat transfer may be enhanced by adding heat transfermembers such as fins to at least one of one of the heating element andthe canister. For example, fins may be extended from the inside wall ofthe canister to the center of the canister. The canister is eitherfabricated with these fins or the fins are separate and may be insertedinto the canister wall. In some instances, contact may be supported byutilizing pre-cut grooves in the canister walls and attaching a finnedinsert into the canister. In other instances, the fins may extend fromthe center of the canister to the inside wall of the canister.Centralized fins may be used to compartmentalize the inside of thecanister regardless of whether thermal control or enhancement isobtained or sought. Compartmentalization may also be utilized to provideseparate heating elements in each compartment and each of which areseparately actuatable for on/off thereby limiting the fuel being heatedto that in a compartment. The thermolysis fuel powder or particles innative or admixed form is filled in the space between the fins.

Compartmentalizing the inside of the canister also may improve hydrogenremoval from the canister to the point of use. The channeling ormal-distribution of gas flow is avoided in case the particles or powderssettle as a result of the reaction. In addition, uneven, or undesirablepressurization of the canister due to possible sintering of theparticles may be reduced.

Using discrete pellets or tablets is another form of compartmentalizinghydrogen production and removal from the canister to the point of use.In this implementation, the use of heat transfer features inside thecanister may not be necessary.

In some aspects of exemplary implementations of a thermolysis fuelcartridge 500 (FIG. 6), the thermolysis fuel 501 may be contained in acavity formed by the vacuum insulation 502 itself. That is, there is nointernal canister in this implementation. Utilizing insulation 502substantially impermeable to hydrogen gas can serve this role. Theheating element 503 is located within the thermolysis fuel 501.

Elimination of an internal canister has the potential to reduce thefabrication cost of the cartridge 500. The elimination of the internalcanister removes a resistance element to heat transfer and has thepotential to increase heat transfer rates and hydrogen generationefficiencies.

A communications ribbon 505 with electrically conductive strips ofregions is both connected to the heating element and extends from thecartridge through an aperture 507. Although not shown, fluidcommunication to obtain hydrogen released from firing the fuel may becombined with the aperture, or the aperture may be sealed againsthydrogen leakage and a spate vent, manifold, or communication pathwaymay be added to the cartridge.

FIG. 6 illustrates details of communication between a system and/orpower supply and the heating element and any controllers associatedtherewith or thereon. In some exemplary implementations such as thoseshown in FIGS. 2 and 6, aperture provided may have dual function ofelectrical communication and fluid communication for hydrogen. Disclosedherein is an extended interface member 601 communicating with aconductive ribbon or strip 602 from the heating element (forming a fluidcommunication means and a power supply means), which may be surroundedin part by insulation 603 to reduce thermal losses, extends through thecartridge face 604 via an aperture 605. The canister containing theheating elements 607 fuel 100 and having a fluid pathway to dispensehydrogen may be a sealed vessel or a sealed insulation body. In thoseinstances wherein the canister is a sealed vessel, a rearward aperture610 is formed in a canister wall 612. An adhesive, gasket, or the likesuch as a high temperature silicone based adhesive 615 is disposedaround the communications apertures 605/610 to limit hydrogen leakage toa negligible amount.

The interface member 601 is shown integral to an aperture. Aperture 605is asymmetrical having an extended lower lip 620. Tracks that providecommunications and power functions such as thermocouple 630 and heatingpower 640 may be provided. A hydrogen pathway may also be integrated insame, wherein pathways for hydrogen flow are provided along with saidtrack. Digital or analog communication pathways may also be added to theinterface akin to a USB or other power and input/output jack or protocolfor communicating with switches or controller associated with theheating elements.

The thermolysis cartridge implementations described herewith are notlimited to the particular geometries shown in the figures. It shouldalso be understood that a variety of changes may be made withoutdeparting from the essence of the disclosure. Such changes are alsoimplicitly included in the description. They still fall within the scopeof this disclosure. It should be understood that this disclosure isintended to yield a patent covering numerous aspects of the inventionboth independently and as an overall system and in both method andapparatus modes.

In the case of alane fuel, decomposition yields high purity hydrogen gasleaving behind aluminum as the byproduct. In the case of ammonia boranehowever, the hydrogen gas may contain trace levels of contaminants suchas borazine and ammonia. Contaminants should be removed from thehydrogen gas prior to feeding into the fuel cell system. Contaminantremoval is accomplished by using suitable filter or adsorbent materialssuch as activated carbon. Filter materials can be enclosed in a suitablespace in the fuel cartridge. For example, the filter material can becontained in an enclosure that is located between the vacuum insulationand the gas-tight enclosure of the cartridge. Filters to removecontaminants are not required for alane. When the fuel is in the form ofpowders, certain powder traps in the form of a gauze or mesh or wool canbe used to trap powders entrained in the hydrogen gas.

As described previously, the electrical power required to bring thecartridge to temperature from ambient is a drawback of thermolysis fuelcartridges. In one implementation, the cartridge is initially heated bythe reaction heat produced by the hydrolysis of a sacrificial chemicalincluding but not limited to calcium oxide. In this implementation, anenclosure containing this chemical is placed between the vacuuminsulation and the external surface of the canister. The reaction istriggered by the addition of water contained in the enclosure usingsuitable means.

While the method and devices have been described in terms of what arepresently considered to be the most practical, it is to be understoodthat the disclosure need not be limited to the disclosedimplementations. It is intended to cover various modifications andsimilar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the claims,the scope of which should be accorded the broadest interpretation so asto encompass all such modifications and similar structures. The presentdisclosure also includes any and all implementations of the followingclaims.

Further, each of the various elements of the disclosure and claims mayalso be achieved in a variety of manners. This disclosure should beunderstood to encompass each such variation, be it a variation of animplementation of any apparatus implementations, a method or processimplementations, or even merely a variation of any element of these.

Particularly, it should be understood that as the disclosure relates toelements of the invention, the words for each element may be expressedby equivalent apparatus terms or method terms—even if only the functionor result is the same.

Such equivalent, broader, or even more generic terms should beconsidered to be encompassed in the description of each element oraction. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make explicit theimplicitly broad coverage to which this invention is entitled.

It should be understood that all actions may be expressed as a means fortaking that action or as an element which causes that action.

Similarly, each physical element, disclosed, should be understood toencompass a disclosure of the action which that physical elementfacilitates.

Any patents, publications, or other references, mentioned in thisapplication, for patent, are hereby incorporated by reference. Inaddition, as to each term used, it should be understood that, unless itsutilization in this application is inconsistent with suchinterpretation, common dictionary definitions should be understood, asincorporated, for each term, and all definitions, alternative terms, andsynonyms such as contained in at least one of a standard technicaldictionary recognized by artisans and the Random House Webster'sUnabridged Dictionary, latest edition, are hereby incorporated byreference.

Finally, all references, listed in the Information Disclosure Statementor other information statement filed with the application, are herebyappended and hereby incorporated by reference; however, as to each ofthe above, to the extent that such information or statementsincorporated by reference might be considered inconsistent with thepatenting of this/these invention(s), such statements are expressly notto be considered as made by the applicant(s).

In this regard, it should be understood that, for practical reasons, andso as to avoid adding potentially hundreds of claims, the applicant haspresented claims with initial dependencies only.

Support should be understood to exist, to the degree required under newmatter laws, including but not limited to United States Patent Law 35USC 132 or other such laws, to permit the addition of any of the variousdependencies or other elements presented under one independent claim orconcept as dependencies or elements under any other independent claim orconcept.

To the extent that insubstantial substitutes are made, to the extentthat the applicant did not in fact draft any claim so as to literallyencompass any particular exemplary implementations, and to the extentotherwise applicable, the applicant should not be understood to have inany way intended to or actually relinquished such coverage as theapplicant simply may not have been able to anticipate all eventualities;one skilled in the art, should not be reasonably expected to havedrafted a claim that would have literally encompassed such alternativeexemplary implementations.

Further, the use of the transitional phrase “comprising” is used tomaintain the “open-end” claims herein, according to traditional claiminterpretation. Thus, unless the context requires otherwise, it shouldbe understood that the term “comprise” or variations such as “comprises”or “comprising”, are intended to imply the inclusion of a stated elementor step or group of elements or steps but not the exclusion of any otherelement or step or group of elements or steps.

Such terms should be interpreted in their most expansive forms so as toafford the applicant the broadest coverage legally permissible.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A thermolysis hydrogen fuel cartridgecomprising: a gas-tight enclosure with a first external surface(20/21/22) and a first internal surface; a canister (102A) disposedwithin the gas-tight enclosure and characterized by a wall that has asecond external surface and a second internal surface (102B), forming acavity; a fuel (104/501) in the cavity of the canister; vacuuminsulation (101) in contact with the external surface of said canisterand the internal surface of said gas-tight enclosure; a plurality ofseparately controllable heating elements (103) with an electricalconnection (37) that extends from the external surface of said cartridge(24) through the vacuum insulation into the cavity of the canister, saidheating elements in contact with said fuel; and, wherein the heatingelements are configured to heat said fuel and cause decomposition ofsaid fuel to produce hydrogen gas.
 2. The thermolysis hydrogen fuelcartridge of claim 1, wherein said fuel includes at least one of alaneand ammonia borane.
 3. The thermolysis hydrogen fuel cartridge of claim1, wherein said fuel includes at least some inert materials to improvethermal conductivity including at least one of alumina and ceramics. 4.The thermolysis hydrogen fuel cartridge of claim 1, wherein said fuel isadmixed with metal powders such as aluminum to improve thermalconductivity.
 5. The thermolysis hydrogen fuel cartridge of claim 1,further comprising a fluid communication means (35) wherein hydrogen maybe output from the cartridge.
 6. The thermolysis hydrogen fuel cartridgeof claim 1, wherein said heating elements are bendable elements.
 7. Thethermolysis hydrogen fuel cartridge of claim 1, wherein said heatingelements are discrete elements.
 8. The thermolysis hydrogen fuelcartridge of claim 7, wherein said discrete elements are banked and oneor more discrete elements are switched on/off for proportional control.9. A thermolysis hydrogen fuel cartridge comprising: an enclosure(310/312) with a first external surface (310) and a first internalsurface; a canister (302/402) disposed within the gas-tight enclosureand characterized by a wall that has a second external surface (305/407)forming a cavity; a fuel (104/404) in the cavity of the canister; vacuuminsulation (301/401) in contact with the external surface of thecanister; a plurality of separately controllable heating elements(303/403) with an electrical connection (315) that extends through aface (312) of the enclosure and the vacuum insulation and surrounding atleast a portion of the canister; a hydrogen output port (306/406)extending from the canister; and, wherein the heating elements areconfigured to heat said fuel and cause decomposition of said fuel toproduce hydrogen gas and output the produced hydrogen gas via thehydrogen output port.
 10. The thermolysis hydrogen fuel cartridge ofclaim 9, wherein the canister includes at least one of ceramics,plastics, laminates, foils, and metals.
 11. The thermolysis hydrogenfuel cartridge of claim 9, wherein said fuel includes at least one ofalane and ammonia borane.
 12. The thermolysis hydrogen fuel cartridge ofclaim 9, wherein said fuel includes at least some inert materials toimprove thermal conductivity including at least one of alumina andceramics.
 13. The thermolysis hydrogen fuel cartridge of claim 9,further comprising a manifold within the canister and in fluidcommunication with the hydrogen output port.
 14. The thermolysishydrogen fuel cartridge of claim 9, further comprising heat transfermembers within the canister.
 15. The thermolysis hydrogen fuel cartridgeof claim 14, wherein the heat transfer members are fins.
 16. Thethermolysis hydrogen fuel cartridge of claim 14, further comprisingcompartmentalization of fuel within the canister.
 17. The thermolysishydrogen fuel cartridge of claim 16, further comprising discrete heatingof compartmentalization of fuel within the canister.
 18. The thermolysishydrogen fuel cartridge of claim 17, wherein the compartmentalization isaccomplished via fin within the canister.
 19. The thermolysis hydrogenfuel cartridge of claim 9, wherein said heating element has localswitchable regions.
 20. A thermolysis hydrogen fuel cartridgecomprising: an encasement (504) affixed to a face plate (508) to form acartridge enclosure; a vacuum insulation (502) disposed within theenclosure and forming a cavity (600) which is substantially impermeableto hydrogen; a fuel (501) in the cavity; a plurality of separatelycontrollable heating elements (503) within the cavity; a communicationsribbon (505) extending through an aperture (507) in the face plate andthe vacuum insulation, said communications ribbon being in conductivecommunication with the heating elements; and, a fluid communicationmeans whereby hydrogen gas is output; wherein the heating elements areconfigured to heat said fuel and cause decomposition of said fuel toproduce hydrogen gas.
 21. The thermolysis hydrogen fuel cartridge ofclaim 20, wherein said fuel includes at least one of alane and ammoniaborane.
 22. The thermolysis hydrogen fuel cartridge of claim 20, whereinsaid fuel includes at least some inert materials to improve thermalconductivity including at least one of alumina and ceramics.
 23. Thethermolysis hydrogen fuel cartridge of claim 22, wherein said heatingelements comprise local switchable regions.